Deacon Henry Becker, Jr., 78, passed away on Sunday, December 28, 2014 at the Houston Hospice Center in Houston, Texas. Henry was born to Henry and Elsa (Harms) Becker on October 18, 1936 in Brenham, Texas.

Soon after graduating from Brenham High School, Henry began his 40 year career with Texaco in Houston, Texas. His career was interrupted only once when he took a leave of absence from Texaco to enlist in the Air Force, where he served as an air police in Turkey. Upon converting to Catholicism, Henry’s love and devotion to his new faith prompted him to enroll in the second class of the newly formed Archdiocesan of Galveston/Houston Deaconate program. He was ordained a deacon in the Catholic Church at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Houston, TX on June 8, 1975. As a deacon, Henry has served at Holy Ghost Parish in Bellaire, TX, Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Richmond, TX, St. Stephen’s Catholic Church in Midland, TX, St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Englewood, CO, and at the former St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Galveston, TX. He was currently serving Holy Family Parish in Galveston as a retired deacon, and he was also taking an active interest in helping his son John with his vending business.

Henry is survived by his wife of 45 years, Dorothy, and his loving son, John David Becker, of Galveston; his brothers, Kenneth Becker (Mary Lou) and James Becker (Diane); and sister, Darlene Beauvais (Larry) all of Houston and numerous other relatives.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, January 3rd from 10:00 to 10:45 am at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 34th and Broadway, Galveston, TX. A rosary led by Deacon Sam Dell’Olio and assisted by Holy Family Deacons Henry Herrera, Doug Matthews, John Pistone, & Robert Standridge will follow at 10:45 a.m.

A funeral mass celebrated by Rev. E.J. Stein, OFM and con-celebrated by Frs. John Paul Flajole, Maynard Tetreault (all OFM & Fr. Jude Ezuma and assisted by Deacons John Pistone and Robert (Buzz) Standridge) will begin at 11:00 am.

Pallbearers will be Jason Beauvais, Greg Hayes, F. A. Klahn, Ron Rust, William Schwettmann, and Greg Ward.

Honorary pallbearers will be Clarence Cantini, Harvey Krueger, Robert Vick, Mathew Ward, Emanuel Minardi, as well as Holy Family Deacons Sam Dell’Olio, Henry Herrera, Doug Matthews, John Pistone, and Robert Standridge, as well as Deacon Ken Martin.

The family wishes to express their gratitude and thanks to M.D. Anderson and Home Bound attendants Julie Holtzheimer, Lori Damron, and Lisa Foster, as well as Houston Hospice for their loving and compassionate care during Henry’s illness. They also send out a big salute to Firestation #7 for always responding to their calls for assistance.